Kokiʻo keʻokeʻo
Hibiscus arnottianus subsp. immaculatus
This much-sought-after shrub can reach the height of a 15-foot tree but usually stays in the 5- to 8-foot range. It has light green leaves that are large compared with the typical Hibiscus waimeae, but its flowers are one-fifth the size of its more common relative. They do have one thing in common: the color and scent of their flowers. Both are bright white with a light pink stamen, with a slight fragrance.
Another attractive feature is that the flowers emerge at the tips of the branches, allowing them to stand out, as small as they are. They bloom a brilliant white and, by the end of two days, slowly fade to light pink and begin to close. It is definitely the cutest of all the native hibiscus, makes beautiful leis and fits perfectly behind the ear. It’s ideal for those who want to wear a flower but not a giant hibiscus that appears as though the flower is wearing them
He mau lāʻau pūnohunohu a he kumulāʻau maoli ia; ʻumikūmālima kapuaʻi ke kiʻeiʻe loa, ʻelima a ʻewalu naʻe kapuaʻi ka maʻamau. ʻOi aku ka nui o nā lau o ke kokiʻo keʻokeʻo ma mua o ke kokiʻo kea, akā he hapa lima ka nui o nā pua o ke kokiʻo keʻokeʻo i ka hālikelike ʻana i ka nui o ke kokiʻo kea. He mau pua keʻokeʻo ko kēia kokiʻo keʻokeʻo. Mohala maila nā pua i ke kakahiaka, a ʻelua paha lā a hiki i ka mae ʻana o nā pua. Ma muli hoʻi o ka liʻiliʻi o ke kokiʻo keʻokeʻo, nani ke kū ʻana ma ka pepeiao.
This rare subspecies of native white hibiscus is endemic to the wetter forests in the northern and northwestern valleys of Kauaʻi and nowhere else in the world.
Kākaʻikahi ke kokiʻo keʻokeʻo ma ka nahele. ʻO kēia ʻano o ke kōkiʻo keʻokeʻo, no Nāpali, Kauaʻi.
The flowers can be eaten as a laxative. Some say that the native red hibiscus was eaten by girls and women, while the white was eaten by boys and men.
He lāʻau hoʻonahā nā kokiʻo.
As with most hibiscuses, the Koki’o ke’oke’o can be trimmed into a beautiful and colorful hedge, but I think it looks better as a stand-alone plant to be admired from all directions.
It can handle full sun quite well but does best in partially shaded areas with filtered sunlight. Hint: Plant it in front of a dark background — such as a rock wall or ti hedge — to really show off the flowers!
Watch out for aphids and whiteflies. Either shoot them off with a water hose or spray them with pesticide. You should have good results if you follow the directions on the bottle.
Hiki ke paʻipaʻi i nā lālā o ke kokiʻo kea i ulu pūnohunohu ai i pā. A hiki hoʻi ke kanu hoʻokahi no ka ulu kiʻekiʻe ʻana. Ikaika ke kokiʻo i ka makani, i ka lā, i ka wā maloʻo, a ʻaʻole nō i pilikia nui i nā mū. Nani ke kanu ʻana i ke kokiʻo kea i mua o ka pā pōhaku i ʻike leʻa ʻia ai nā pua. Ke ʻike ʻia nā ʻeleao e ʻai ana i ke kokiʻo, e kī i ka wai e hemo ai nā ʻeleao.
The native white hibiscuses, which include Hibiscus arnottianus (found on Oʻahu and Molokai) and this species, H. waimeae, are the only naturally fragrant hibiscuses in the world.
Loaʻa kekahi mau kokiʻo me nā pua keʻokeʻo: ʻo ke kokiʻo keʻokeʻo (Hibiscus arnottianus) no Oʻahu me Molokaʻi, a ʻo kēia kokiʻo kea (H. waimeae). ʻO kēia mau ʻano kokiʻo ʻelua wale nō nā kokiʻo pua onaona ma ka honua nei.